Celeste Rodrigues was born in 1923 in Lisbon's Alfama district, where she grew up hearing fado. She started singing professionally at fifteen. In the late 1940s, she released 'Meus Olhos,' which became a classic. Her voice had a raw, dramatic quality that fit the genre's themes of longing.
Her career unfolded in mid-century Portugal, a conservative time. She was known for being outspoken, and her personal life sometimes drew criticism. Despite that, she kept recording and performing. Songs like 'Vira da Minha Rua' and 'Longa É a Noite' show her style.
She recorded albums such as 'Fado Celeste' in 1953 and 'Celeste Rodrigues em Paris' in 1960. Later on, she worked with younger fado singers. Celeste Rodrigues died in 2018.
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